Control for cigar machine short filler tobacco feeds



. S. CLAUSEN CONTROL FOR CIGAR MAQHINE SHORT Sept.20, 1949.

3r Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1943 NNN v v n No, wovN Now v QN NN NNN QM, Sw

INVENTOR slGuRo cLAusEN Sept. 20,1949. A v s. cLAusEN 2,482,465 CONTROL FOR CIGAR MACHINE SHORT FILLER TOBACCO FEEDS l Filed Dec. 10, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m@ @0 6256/72. @Bzw 72 200 74 o llhl v 74 f3 l o oo :lo J o "421; 236 246 l4K4 slGuRo cLAusr-:N 4;355 v 'l u y ATTORNEY Spt. 20, 1949. f s. cLAUSEN 2,482,465

. CONTROL FOR CIELAB MACHINE SHORT FILLER TOBACCO FEEDS Fil'ed Dec; 10, 1943 :s shams-sheets lNvENToR SiGURD CLAUSEN BY psg ATTORNEY Patented Sept.Y 20,1949

` CONTROL Fon CIGARMACHINE SHORT FILLER TOBACCO FEEDS Y Sigurd Clausen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignorto International Cigar Machinery'Company, a eetporation of New Jersey f Application December 1o, 1943,`ser`ia1`No. 513,701

20 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanism for vfeeding tobacco to cigar machines and more particularly to improvements in devices for controlling the feed of measured quantities of tobacco in order that a substantially constant quantity of tobacco may always be available in a cigarbunch machine for forming substantially uniform bunch charges therefrom for deli-Very to the bunch rolling mechanism thereof. v

In some machines, now in use, it is customary to form a column of tobacco to which additions are made cyclically during the operation of the machine but occasionally due tothe presence of an excess of tobacco over that required for the formation of one or morev bunches, the feeding operation is interrupted for one or more cycles until it is again necessary to add to quantity in the machine in orderv to maintain it in a predetermined condition with respect to quantity and density. n

According to my invention there is provided an arrangement for automatically varying Ythe amount of tobacco fed to a scale pan or weighing device in accordancek with the quantity of tobacco remaining in a confining space after' a charge has been removed therefrom'. Thus, ii.` the device which engages such quantity of tobacco or if some other detecting device nds a larger surplus availabla the control mechanism of the invention will automatically control the next feeding operation ofthe tobacco feed correspondingly by Varying the weighing effect of the scale pan. In other Words the quantity .of tobacco fed will vary `in accordance with" the amount of tobacco remaining in the coniiningv mechanism, suc-h as a charge compression chamber, in columnar form sov that at substantially all times the quanti-ty' of tobacco cyclica'lly available for separation of ar`bunch charge therefrom 'will bev substantially constant.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved mechanism for forming cigar bunch charges by providing' mechanism for maintaining.

a substantially constant'quantity'of tobacco avail- Y able for bunch charge formation byy controlling the amount of tobacco added cyclically to the quantity'remaining after each charge formation.v

It is a further object of vvmy' invention toprovide improved weighingv mechanism for weighing measuredv quantities of tobacco and automatically vary the capacity of the weighing device forming a part of this mechanism so that as a result of the automatic operation of4 the'w-eigliing mechanism substantially eonstantquantities of Vtobaccos are always available at the point of bunch charge separation. l

It is alsoan object of my invention to provide an improved bunch charge compression chamber and means associated therewith for Weighing *the* quantity of tobacco remaining therein after av bunch charge has been separated from the tobacco in the chamber' and to feed such amounts of tobacco cyclicall'y as will maintain in the compression' chamber substantially uniform quantities of tobacco.

The invention alsa relates to an improved method for forming' a. succession of cigar bunch charges' by form-ing ay column of tobacco containing a quantity consisting of'more than a single bunch charge; separating a bunch charge from the column, and feeding additional tobacco thereto in an amount necessary to reconstitute substantially the original4 quanti-ty available for the formation of the next chargel The invention also consists' in ther provision of an improved method for' forming cigar bunch charges by confining a quantity of' tobacco in an amount equal to or greater than a single bunch charge therefrom', rempving a bunch charge, and adding a weighed quantity of tobacco thereto in amounts necessary to maintain the `quantity of tobacco coni-ined Vand available forv bunch charge formation substantially constant, I

An added' object of the invention consists in an improved method of' forming substantially uniform cigar bunches by providing a column of tobacco containing' say one' or more than a single bunch chargev asr a surplus after the separation of a measured chargefthereirom, whereupon the surplusv is tested' lto determine the amount of tobacco necessary to be, added to the column in order to maintain available at all times for the formation of successive bunch charges a substantially constant column of tobacco.

With these' and' other objects not specifically mentioned in vlew,. the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims 'hereunto appended.

In the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of. this specification, and 'in which like characters of reference indicate' the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a partial sectional: side elevation showing a preferred: form v,of the improvedr mechanism for `controlling' the feed of tobacco in accordance with quantities` of tobacco remaining in the charge compression' chamberafter the removal of' a ,buncl'l chargectherefrom;

Figure", lari's ank end elevation tekenen the lines I al a* of' Figure- C 1 Figure :Zis` ,a partial sectionall elevation of a detail of Figure 1';

' Figure 3 is a partiai sectional' side elevation of a modified form of the' invention showing mechanism for weighing tobaccojremaining'in the chargecompressionchambergand Figure Lleis aside' elevation of mechanism suitable-foroperatingf' the charge compression chamber plunger and gate: i

. mounted vibratory base |2.

Referring to the drawings which show preferred forms of theinvention selected for purposes of illustration`,theA machine .consists of a bed plate 2| suitably mounting frame |8 which supports the mechanism. The filler tobacco, such as short filler, is deposited in a hopper H supported by a number of springs l fixed to a resiliently In the illustrated embodiment base |2 is attached to resilient'rubber cushions I4 fixed to cross bars I6 mounted on the hopper supporting frame I8 secured to the bed plate 2| of the machine. Vibratory base 2 is equipped with lugs on which, by means of stud 22, is adjustably mounted a magnet supporting bracket 24 holding a magnet 2E. An armature 28 is fastened to a lug 30 on hopper H. By increasing or decreasing the gap between the armature 28 and the magnet 26, the amplitude of the vibrator can bechanged to any desirable degree thus making it possible to feed from the g hopper any type of short ller tobacco with equally good results. VThe vibratory hopper, its vibrating mechanism,scale pan and tobacco fiow stoppage element, preferably are constructed and operate much in the manner disclosed in Durning Patent No. 2,306,381 issued December 29, 1942.

As disclosed in the Durning patent above referred to, the bottom Aportion of the hopper H may be provided with,aI transverse step 32 which in effect separates the hopper into two sections, namely, a rear storage chamber 36 or portion in which a mass of tobacco is deposited and confined by a plurality ofmovable rakes 34 and a feeding part 38 provided with a distributing lip L over which a stream oftobacco issuing from ,"f

the storage portion 38 is fed to the weighing mechanism B6.

The construction and operation of the rakes Sil is substantially the same as shown and described in the Durning patent.' The tips of rakes 34 are located in front of step` 32 and abovethe plane of portion 39 so that all tobacco passing from the confining portion 36 moves between the oscillatable rakes 34 which. act to'prevent any tobacco from trickling out or otherwise escaping from the conning chamber unless the rakes are moved transversely of the hopper. Rakes 34 are driven by means of vertical shaft 54 and suitable connections (not shown). Shaft 54 is supported by suitable bearings (not shown).through a conventional clutch (not shown) provided with a ratchet and pawl mechanism designated generally |08 operated by means of a solenoid |015 at proper times to initiateand stop the operation of shaft '54, all as shown anddescribed in said Durning patent.

Tobacco as fed from the mass in the hopper H onto feeding trough portion 38 forms a thin layer T thereon. Due to the vibration imparted to the hopper H by magnet 26 and armature 28, layer T moves over section 38 and lip L and discharges into scale pan 66. As` shown, the scale pan of the illustrated embodiment is located be'- low lip L and includes a vertical scale plate 60. Each side edge of the scale plate 80 is provided with a lug 1| arranged to engage individualpivots T3 which are mounted in scale arms 69 both of which are fixed on a scale shaft 62. The latter is provided with bar or knife edges 'l5 resting in knife edge blocks 16 fastened by suitable means (not shown) to a U-shapedsupporting bracket 14 mounted on a bracket VI8 attached to the hopper supporting frame 8. The `upper portion of scale plate 00 carries a pair of studs 64 pivotally mounting a scale receptacle vforming together 4 with the plate 60, the scale pan into which the tobacco T fed from the hopper is delivered. The cross section of the scale pan, rwhich is substantially wedge shaped, is of importance in aligning the pieces of short filler tobacco as they fall thereinto from the lip L.

Fastened to shaft 62 is an arm 68 carrying a threaded stud or scale beam 'l0 supporting a movable weight block 12. This block serves the purpose of balancing the scale pan as well as determining the amount of tobacco normally necessary to trip the scale pan. The position of block 'l2 on stud 'I0 can be adjusted, as desired, for controlling the feed of any normal weighed quantity of tobacco to scale pan 86. This quantity may contain enough tobacco to Yform av single bunch charge with a surplus over, or a plurality of charges, depending on the location of weight block 'I2 on stud 10.

As the layer of tobacco T formed by the vibrating hopper H is fed into the scale pan just described, the latter trips and swings downwardly when the desired amount isl deposited therein. The downward movement of the scale pan causes a switch, such as a mercury switch 80 of conventional design, mounted on shaft 02 and connected in an electric circuit, to swing through an arc thereby breaking the circuit including the vibratory magnet 26 and causing the vibration of hopper H, movement of rakes 34, and feed of tobacco to the scale pan to stop. In order to prevent additional tobacco from discharging from the hopper into the scale pan after it has been tripped, a tobacco ow control plate 82 swingsdownwardly and closes the mouth of feed trough portion 38 as soon as the vibration of hopper H has ceased.

The plate 82 may be electrically operated and its action governed through a solenoid also controlled by switch 80. Control plate 82 is attached to a shaft 84 supported by a pair of brackets 80 mounted on bracket 14; Shaft 84 mounts a lever 88 which through rod 90 is connected to a lever 92 secured to a shaft 94 supported by a bearing lug 96 xed to bracket 50. To shaft 94 is also fixed a bell crank lever 98, one end of which through a link |00, is connected with an armature |02 of a solenoid |04 mounted on housing 2|. Solenoid |04 is energized and deenergized under the control of switch 80 thereby causing the movements of armature |02 to control the operation of plate 82. The other end of the bell crank lever 98 carries a lug |08 which is moved when solenoid |04 is energized to disconnect the pawl and ratchet connection |08 and interrupt the operation of the rakes 34.

Subsequent to the tripping of the scale pan the measured quantity of tobacco is discharged therefrom and transferred to the charge compression chamber designated generally C, in the manner described and set forth in the above referred to Durning patent. Since the construction of this mechanismV is substantially the same as that shown in the referred to patent, only a brief description is deemed necessary in the present specification.

The guide chuteconsists of a pair of adjustably mounted stationary side plates |09. The front and rear walls of the chute consist of a movable magazinegate ||0, and a movable guide plate ||2, the former and latter moving in synchronism with each other. Plate I2 is fastened to a flange |`|4 mountedon a shaft IIB loosely supported in bearing lugs ||5 of bracket 14. To shaft ||6 is also fastened a lever |20 which through elink-|2215 connected to'la lever |24 mounted-'on a shat|26supported by means of bearing brackets |28-attached tothe magazine side rails .(not. shown) mounted on the magazine, bottom; plate supported by trame |23 secured t0 the machine .bed plate (not shown). Gate l0 is iastened to shaft |26 which is rocked by means of alever 2.02` also mounted en shaftlzt (see Figure 4)., Lever 202 is connected by means of an adjustable rod 294 to a lever 2 06 mounted on the shaft i8 supported by suitable bearings on frame |23. Shaft ||8 carries a lever ||9 which through an adjustable rod 298 is oscillated by a cam lever 30|! loosely mounted on the lever supporting shaft 280.. Cam lever 3.00 carries a com Lfollower 302 which when engaging with the curved portion 304 of a cam segmentli causes the opening and closing of gate ||0 as described heretofore. Cam segment 306 is secured to the rear side of cam 288, on shaft 290. Y

,The charge compressioncharnber or magazine C is substantially the same in .construction as that disclosed in s aidDurning patent and further de-r tailed description thereofis deemed unnecessary except testate' that it is termed by the bottom plate -|2S Aa ledger Aplate 13|, top plate |60. maga-` zine gate] |04, `which oscillates on shaft |26, and the stationary rear and top plate |62, Top plates and. |62 aresuitably supported by rails (not shown) fastened to bottom plate |29.

When the magazine C is ready for a charge and the scale pan holding the desired amount of tobacco is to be tripped, gate H0 'swings upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow A. During this movement the free end ofY gate I0 engages a trip Vfinger |64 depending downwardly from plate F56 in the Path of movement of gate |10 so that the engagement of gate l0 with finger its opens the scale lpan and the contents *discharge therefrom onto `plate l I2 for distribution in the chamber C upon plate |29, vIt will be seen that the construction and operation o1V gateV ||0.

and plate ||2 is such that these members form in effect a funnel to receive the tobacco discharged fromthe scale pan and .as the gatel |0-A moves to .closed position,` plate v|`| 2 retreats and the tobacco is distributed in chamber C upon plate f2s.` When gate |10 has returned to its normal cr closed position relativeto the chamber C,

reciprocating plunger |33 is moved forwardly (orv to the rightof Figure l) to press part of the chargeA of tobacco in-chamber C into a waiting charge transfendesignated generally 224. .The charge transferl 224 may-.be constructedxand operated in the same manner as shown insaidv Burning patent. f o

In order toprevent the scale pan from swinging. upwardly as soon as'its charge is released, a locking device may be provided. Mounted in lug 14a of bracket 14 is a shaft |30 supporting a lever les provided with a locking lug |60. LeverY |50 is vconnected by means of alinlg |54 toa ange I Hd so that when plate ||2 swings forwardly, 111gy f les engages a cam follower |10 vmounted on a lug |12 fixed to shaft 62 thereby locking the scale pan in down position and preventing reinstituf` tion df vibratoryemotion ci; thehopper and additionalfeedtherefrom until at theproper time been; distributed in chamber C and lug |08v isY moved outof locking engagement with cam |10.

Reciprocating plunger |33 which. compresses-- the tobaccoin the magazinec ris mounted cna plunger rodi-|14 slidably supported by'upporte ing lug.|.16. The upperportion of lug |16 `carries a turnable member |86 which on one end has ksecured thereto a hand knob |84, while the Vother end is provided With a threaded extension |81 carrying alug |88 slidably supporting in its lower portion the plunger rod |14.

Lug |16 is equipped vwith a. pair of studs |90 pivotally .connected to a pair of brackets |92, on an operating arm |94 pivoted to a pin 210 held by a lever 212 mounted on shaft zldsupported by bearing bracket 216 secured to the lower side of bed plate 2|. Arm |94 is slidably supported by means of a guide lever 210 loosely mounted on a shaft 280.Supported b'y suitable bearings in the machine frame. Guide lever 218 is provided with a cam lever 282 carrying a cam' follower 284 engaging acam track V280 in cam 288 on cam shaft 290 (Figure 4).

As described and disclosed in the above referred to Durningpatent, while cam lever 282 imparts oscillating motion to guide lever 218 carrying the Y plunger operating arm |94, this motion of the between lug |38 land the rear face of plunger |33.`

Spring Zit serves the purpose of compensating for any-lost motion. and permits arm |94 to keep its stroke free regardless of the amount ofto-` bacco stored in the magazine thus avoiding jamming therein and assuring a more or less even amount Yof pressure of plunger `|33 upon the'to.- bacco column in the magazine C during each forward-stroke of the plunger |33. The rearward stroke Orf plunger |33 is accomplished by means of lug |16 engaging the lower end |15 of bracket 2M which is fixed to rod |14. The arrangement.

of the bracket 2 4 with respect to the plunger |14 may assume various forms but lor the purpose 0I illustrating one form thereof I show the same as being of conventional L shaped constructionand is connected directly to the member |15 on the free end of the plunger |14. The pressurevo spring 2|16 upon plunger |33 can bevaried to any desired degreeby turning the hand knob |84 of member' |536 thereby causing lug |88 topress or release the spring `2`|6 as the case may be. This valuable anddesirable feature permits the use of scrap tobacco' of any type and size which may require different density and pressure, and proH vides a satisfactory means for measuring the quantity of tobacco in each charge..

In the mechanism described herein, it is evident thatwhenever a charge of tobacco in the charge transfer; designated generally 224, is separated from thecolumn of tobacco in chamber C by imeans o'fk'ni'fe 220 which may be 'of the same construction and operation as that described and disclosed inthe Burning patent above referred to, theplunger |33is advanced to press the tobacco in the charge lcompression chamber C (as shown in Figure l). `Due to the timing of, the mechanism which operates gate |0 to open the scalev pan andallow a weighed quantity of tobaccov t0 be served into the chamberv CWhen the plunger |33 -is retracted. :vibration of thehopper interrupted until the scale pan is returned by$ weight 12 t`o`tobacco receiving position relative to lip L of the hopper I-I and because of the counterclockwise movement of shaft 62, switch 80 is turned to complete a circuit through magnet 26 and solenoid |04 to reinstitute the vibration of hopper H and movement of rakes 34 to feed tobacco into the scale pan 66. The feeding operation takes place cyclically so that every time a charge is to be cut from the column of tobacco in the magazine C an Vadditional quantity of tobacco is fed thereinto in the manner described hereinabove.

In order to insure that substantially uniform quantities of tobacco are present in the magazine C at all times, and hence make possible the formation of substantially uniform bunches, mechanism is provided for varying the amount of tbacco fed from hopper I-I into scale pan 66 in accordance with the surplus of tobacco remaining in the charge compression chamber C after each bunch charge in transfer 224 has been cut therefrom. In this way if a relatively small amount of tobacco, say enough to form one to three bunch charges, is present in charge compression chamber C, a greater quantity of tobacco is fed to scale pan 66 on the next feeding operation of the hopper H than would have been fed if, for instance, a relatively large quantity of tobacco, such as a quantity sufficient to form more than three bunch charges, remained as surplus in the chamber C prior to the next feeding operation of the hopper.

It will be seen, therefore, that an added object of my invention is to provide means for compensating automatically in the feed of tobacco to the chamber C in accordance with the surplus quanf tity remaining therein after the formation of a bunch charge by feeding such quantity in each cyclic operation of the feeding device such that a substantially constant quantity is present at all times in the chamber C for bunch charge formation.

In Figure 1 there is shown mechanism suitable for automatically feeding equal quantities, or varying the quantity of tobacco fed cyclically to the charge compression chamber to maintain therein a substantially constant quantity available for charge formation.

Pivotally mounted on stud 200 on lug 60 is a weight 202 which extends downwardly between arms 203, 204 forming a part of lever 206 pivotally mounted on stud 200 supported in suitable bearing lug 19 of bracket 18. Lever 206 is also provided with an arm 2 l 0 extending downwardly into the path of movement of a threaded rod 2 |2 carried by bracket 2|4 fixed to rod |14. While lever 206 may be loosely mounted on stud 208 for gravity return to its inoperative or neutral position after each cyclical operation, it is preferred to provide a pair of suitable friction washers 201 (Figure 2) which tend to hold said lever in its operative position until returned by positive means,

described hereinafter. Threaded rod 2|2 is provided with a hand knob 2|8 by means of which it can be adjusted in its mount in order to control the throw of lever 206 which is engaged thereby during the displacement of bracket 2|4 by rod |14 in compressing tobacco in the charge compression chamber C by means of plunger |33, actuated by compression spring 2|6. A lock nut 220 may be employed to secure rod 2|2 in any adjusted position.

From the above it follows that whenever plunger |33 engages tobacco in the chamber C, if less than a predetermined normal surplus is present therein, ias determined by the position of weight 12 on stud 10, lever arm 2|0 of lever 206 will be rocked counterclockwise on its pivot 208 an amount correspondingwith the quantity of tobacco remaining -in the chamber C after the severance of a chargetherefrom. This movement of lever 206 causes arm 204 to engage weight 202 and swing the same clockwise about its pivot 200 from a suitable predetermined neutral position, as viewed in Figure 1, thereby adding to the net weight of weight 12 an amount sufficient to cause an added quantity of tobacco to be fed to scale pan 66. In other words, the movement of weight202 in the direction of arrow B lcauses the weight 202 to have a greater gravitational effect because of the movement-of its center of gravity outward relative to its pivot on the lever arm constituted by lug 68 and rod 10. Weight 202 may be held fixed after each' clockwise movement by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment a friction washer 20| (Figure 2) mounted on stud 200 between lug 'and weight 202 performs satisfactorily. The amount of movement of lever 206, and-hence the position of weight 202 vary cyclically in accordance with the position of plungerv |33 atA the end of each bunch charge separating operation. -In`-order to return the weight 202 and lever 206 to their predetermined neutral positions upon completion of each weighing and feeding oper-ationthere is provided a rod 222, supported by bracket extension 2|4 on rod |14, which'on it'srfree-end mounts a bracket 226 carrying i an adjusting vscrew 228. Obviously weight 202 and lever 206 may be positioned substantially vertical, 'or depending on the setting of screws 2|2 and v228 at an angle. The screw 228, can be so adjusted that arm 203 of lever 206 will be swung into engagement with weight 202 as set screw 228 moves against arm 2|0 to displace weight 202- toits neutral position when plunger |33 is moved to its outermost limit in chamber C by arm |94 (to the left in Figure 1). As shownrin Figure 1, the electrical control may be somewhat similar to that shown in the above referred to Durning' patent. An electrical circuitlis provided in which are connected switch 80, relay R, solenoid -|04 and magnet 26. When scale pan66 isfpositioned to receive tobacco, switch is in circuit closing position and relay R is energized to effect the operation of solenoid |04 and magnet 26 thereby oscillating the rakes 34 and vibrating the'hopp'er H. When the scale pan 66 trips, the circuitthrough switch 80 is broken, relay Ris vdeenergized and the operation of 'rakes andvibrator are interrupted.

Inrthe modified form shown in Figure 3, tobacco is fed from vibratory hopper H which is provided with rakes 34 and vibrated in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 1, described hereinabove, toY feed tobacco over trough portion 38 and lip Lofhopper H into a chute |96 which directs tobacco into chamber C between guide plates 209.

The charge compression chamber may be 0f the same general construction as that shown in said Durning patent. It is formed with the usual top plate 262 and a, bottomv plate 229 secured to a bracket 4member 23| forming a part of frame |23. The lower bottom plate is also formed of a substantially vertically movable plate or scale pan 232 suitably carried by bracket plate 234 which bracket lplate may also mount ledger plate 233 with'which coacts knife 220, constructed and arranged to operate in the samemanner as set forth in the Durningpatent, to separate the charge threaded' rod 231.

in'transfer 224 froin/-the--column of tobacco in Vchamber C. Bracket 2,34 is supported for substanon bracket 23| Lug240-and bracket 234 are proi vided with equal length extensions 242, 244, respectively, having pivotally connected to their free ends-a cross link 245, thereby providing for parallel motion of bracket',234 relative to plate 229 (as shown in Figure 3). Lever 235 is provided with a threaded rod 231 on whichis mounted a weight'V 239 adjustable thereon along the The position of weight 239 on rod 231 determines the quantity of tobacco to be fed to chamber' C.`

Chamber C is provided with a gate 248 which is pivoted on a stud 258 adjacent top plate 262. The mechanism for operating gateV 248 consists of a lever 252 fixed to gate 248 and connected by means of a rod 254to lever 253 pvoted on shaft |58 in bracket |23; Lever `||9 on shaft ||8 is connected by means of adjustable rod 288 to lever 300 (Figure 4)' loosely mounted on'shaft 28!! and rocked by means similar to that described Ain connection with the modification shown in Figures 1 and 2..l

The plunger |33 which operates in chamber C is of the same construction, as set forth above in connection with the modification shown in Figure 1 and'is reciprocated vby the mechanism shown in Figure 4. By this means any desired weight of tobacco' can be set in order to control the amount of tobacco in the chamber C so that regardless of the quantity remaining therein after a bunch 'charge has been cut therefrom, an additional quantity of tobacco'is fed cyclically into the charge compression chamber C' after the plunger |33 has been retracted to its rearmost position, and gate248 has been swung upwardly to allow tobacco to be fed overlip L of the hopper H and directed by chute |96 between side guide plates 208 intochamber CV. When tobacco is Yfirst fed from hopper I-I into the chamber C', the movable bottom plate or scale pan 232 is biased by weight 238 above the plane of bottom plate 229. Tobacco will be fed from the hopper vH untilplate 2 32 is in planar alignment with plate228 and vbracket 234 rests against stop plate 235 on bracket 23|. A switch 243 mounted on lever 236 causes the circuit through the magnet 26 and solenoid |84 to be broken to stop the vibratory feed of tobacco to thecharge compression chamber as soon asr the desired weight of tobacco has been fed into the charge compression chamber C and plate 232 has been returned to its final position (as shown in Figure 3), In the next cycle of operations, plunger |33 is moved into the charge Vcompression chamber C to compress the newly fed tobacco and the tobacco remaining in the chamber C' advances a measured charge into transfer 224 whereupon knife 220 is operated to sever the measured charge from the column in Athe, chamber C' after which the plunger is retracted by meansof arm |94. Plate 232 is again biased to weighing position, gate 248 is opened; additional tobacco is fed in an amount necessary to maintain the substantially uniform quantity ofY tobacco in the charge compression chamher C' according to the position oi weight 233 and tliequantity of tobacco remaining in the chamber on plate 232 or ledgerl plate 233. In the sainemanner all successive cycles of operation are carried out and more or less tobacco fed depending upon the weight of tobacco present in the Chamber .Cg It shouldbe noted that, if a quantit'yiof tobacco remains on platel 232 when rod |14"iswithdrawn by means of lug |16, the'plate 232 will already be partially depressed when additional' tobacco is fed from y As soon as i the additional amount ofV tobacco,` reduire-d to form a cigar bunch, has'been deposited'onr the plate 232, the feeding is stopped in the mannerdescribed previously. This'method 'of 'feeding results inY greater uniformity of cigar bunches.

` The invention abovedes'Cribed-'may'be varied in construction within 'the' scope of the claims, for the' particular devicaiselected to illustrate the invention, is but oneof many possible concrete embodiments of the same: It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the vstructure shown and described.

"What is claimed is:

la succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising, a tobacco feeding conveyor, a charge compression chamber, a plunger reciprocablein said chamber, a tobacco weighing device positionedto'receive tobacco from said conveyor, means associated with'said weighing device for causing vs'a'id'conveyor to feed a predetermined quantity of"t0bacco, auxiliary means associated with said Weighing device for increasing the feeding, effect of saidfrSt-'named means, means on said plunger for operating said auxiliary means to control each amount of tobacco fed to said chamber in accordance with the surplus yremaining therein after'the formation of the previous bunch charge, and means for transferring tobacco frorn'the weighing device to said chamber.

2. In a cigar machine, mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprisingal tobacco feeding conveyor, a charge compression chamber, a plunger reciprocable in said chamber, a tobacco Weighing mechanism positioned to receive tobacco from Vsaid conveyor, a controlfdevice also associated with said weighing mechanism Afor increasing the amount of tobacco fedi to saidg weighing mechanism, said device comprisinga movable weight arm, -a forked lever,- means mounting said lever with the forks 'thereof located on the opposite sides of said arm, means l'for reciprocating said plunger in said chamber, means onsaid plunger operative to engage said forked leveren the forward movementl of said 'plunger to bias said weight arm from a neutralposition and thereby increase the amount of tobaccofed by said conveyor to said'weighing mechanism above a predetermined normal amount, andfm'eans for transferring tobacco vfrom-.the weighing device to said chamber. l S

3. In a cigar machine,rmechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising atcb-aoco feeding conveyor, a charge compressionrchamberfa plunger reciprocable in saidfcha'mberpa :tobacco weighing mechanism positionedltoreceive tobacco from 'saidconveyon ar control device also associated with said-weighing mechanism' for -increasing the amountfof tob'acc'offed to said .weighing mechanism, .,:said device* comprising a pivoted weight arm, a forked'ilever, means mounting 'saidflever with vthe forks .thereof located on the opposite sides of said; arm,v means for reciprocating said -zplungerin said chamber, means on said plunger operative Ato engage said forked lever onthe forward movement of said. plunger to biassaid weight, arm froma neutral position and thereby increase the amount of tobacco fed by said conveyor to said weighing mechanism above a predetermined normal amount, said last-named means including means for returning said weight arm to neutral position on each rearward movement of said plunger, and means for transferring tobacco from the weighing device to said chamber.

4. In a cigar machine, mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising a tobacco feeding conveyor, a charge compression chamber, a plunger recipro'cable in said chamber, a tobacco weighing mechanism positioned to receive tobacco from said conveyor, a control device also associated with said weighing mechanism for increasing the amount of tobacco fed to said weighing mechanism, said device comprising a pivoted weight arm, a forked lever, means mounting said lever with the forks thereof located on the opposite sides of said arm, means for reciprocating said plunger in said chamber, adjustable means associated with said plunger operative to engage said forked lever on the forward movement of said plunger to bias said weight arm from a neutral position and thereby increase the amount of tobacco fed by said conveyor to said Weighing mechanism above the predetermined normal amount, said last-named means including adjustable means for returning said weight arm to neutral position on each related movement of said plunger, and means for transferring tobacco from the Weighing device to said chamber.

5. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber, a, weighing device, said weighing device having a weighing plate constituting a part of said chamber, mechanism for feeding tobacco into said `chamber onto said plate, and means carried by said device for controlling the operation of said mechanism.

G. In a cigar bunch forming machine for forming a succession of uniform cigar bunch charges comprising, a charge compression chamber, said chamber including a weighing device, mechanism for feeding tobacco into said chamber and onto said device, and means for incapacitating said feeding mechanism when a predetermined quantity of tobacco has been weighed by said device.

7. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber, said chamber including a movable bottom weighing plate, mechanism for feeding tobacco into said chamber and onto said plate, and means for interrupting the operation of said feeding mechanism when a predetermined quantity of tobacco has been received on said plate.

8. In a cigar bunch` charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber including an upper plate provided with a gate and a bottom plate provided with a weighing device, said device consisting of a vertically movable plate and associated weighing mechanism, means for opening and closing said gate, a feeding mechanism for feeding tobacco into said chamber Whenever'saidV gate is opened, and means under control of said weighing mechanism for controlling the operation of said feeding mechanism.

9. In a cigar machine, mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform bunch charges comprising a tobacco feeding conveyor, a Vcharge compression chamber, said chamber having a top plate and a movablev bottom plate portion spaced therefrom, weighing mechanism associated with said bottom plate portion, a plunger reciprocable in said chamber, means for operating said plunger cyclically to compact tobacco Within said chamber and to move out of compacting relation with any surplus tobacco which may remain in said chamber after a bunch charge has been separated therefrom, means for separating va bunch charge from said compacted tobacco,

means for operating said conveyor to feed tobacco onto said plate portion, and control means carried by said weighing mechanism for incapacitating said conveyor when a predetermined quantity of tobacco has been delivered to said plate portion. Y

10. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber comprising an upper Wall provided with a gate, and a lower wall spaced therefrom provided with a movable tobacco receiving and weighing portion, means for opening and closing said gate, mechanism for .feeding tobacco to said chamber for delivery thereinto when said gate is open, and means vundercontrol of said Weighing portion for inca- Vpacitating said feed when a predetermined quantity of tobacco has been fed by said feeding mechanism.

11. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber, said chamber comprising an upper wall provided with a, tobacco receiving opening, and a lower wall spaced therefrom provided with a movable weighing plate, supporting meansmounting said plate for vertical movement relative to said lower wall, an adjustably mounted weight carried by said means, mechanism for feeding tobacco to said chamber for delivery through said opening onto said plate, and control means mounted on said supporting means for controlling the operation of said mechanism.

12. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine, a charge compression chamber, said chamber comprising an upper wall provided with a tobacco receiving-opening, and a lower wall spaced therefrom provided with a weighing plate, movable supports mounting said plate for vertical movement relative to said lower wall, mechanism for feeding tobacco to said chamber for delivery through said opening onto said plate, and control means mounted on said supports for controlling the operation of said mechanism.

13. In a cigar machine, mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising, a charge compression chamber for compacting tobacco therein, means for separating a bunch charge from the compacted tobacco in said chamber, feeding and weighing mechanism for forwarding a quantity of tobacco to said compression chamber substantially equal to the bunch charge removed each time, and control means operatively connected to Said feeding and weighing mechanism for indicating the eX- tent of variation in the quantity of tobacco remaining in said compression chamber after a bunch charge has been removed therefrom and for stopping the feed of tobacco to said compression chamber when substantially the same quantity of tobacco has been restored to said chamber as was removed therefrom to maintain the quantity of tobacco in said chamber substantially constant before each charge is separated therefrom.

14. In a cigar machine mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising, a tobacco charge compacting chamber, feeding and weighing means for intermittently forwarding a controlled quantity of tobacco to said tobacco charge compacting chamber; a compactor for compacting the tobacco in said chamber; a cutter adapted to cut a bunch charge from said compacted tobacco; control means for indicating the extent of variation in the quantity of surplus tobacco remaining in said chamber after a bunch charge has been removed therefrom; and means interconnecting said control means and said feeding and weighing means to stop the operation of the latter means when a quantity of tobacco, substantially the same as the bunch charge removed, has been restored to the compacting chamber to maintain the amount of tobacco therein substantially constant.

15. The method of forming a succession of cigar bunch charges which consists in, forming a co1- umn of tobacco containing at least a single bunch charge and a surplus available for forming a subsequent charge, successively separating a bunch charge from said column, successively indicating the extent of variation in the amount of surplus tobacco remaining in said column after the separation of each charge, feeding tobacco to be incorporated with said column of tobacco after each separation of a bunch charge, collecting and weighing quantities of tobacco of substantially cigar bunch weight from the tobacco so fed, and varying automatically the quantity of tobacco so weighed after the separation of each bunch charge to compensate for differences in the quantity of surplus tobacco remaining in said column after a charge has been separated to thereby maintain the quantity of tobacco in said column substantially constant before the separation of each charge.

16. In a cigar machine, mechanism for forming a succession of substantially uniform cigar bunch charges comprising, a charge compression chamber, means for feeding tobacco to be delivered to said chamber to form a column suflicient for making at least one bunch charge, means for rendering said feeding means inactive, means for separating a bunch charge from said tobacco in said chamber, means for indicating the extent of .z

variation in the quantity of any surplus tobacco remaining in said chamber after the separation of each bunch charge, means for successively reactivating said feeding means after a charge has been formed in order to feed additional tobacco in an amount necessary to maintain the quantity of tobacco in said chamber substantially constant before each charge is separated therefrom, means for weighing said tobacco as it is fed, said means for rendering said feeding means inactive beingr operatively connected to said indicating means for stopping the feed of said tobacco when a weight of tobacco varying in accordance with the quantity of surplus tobacco remaining in said chamber after the separation of a charge has been fed, and means for delivering said weighed quantity of tobacco to said chamber for association with said Surplus.

17. In a cigar machine, a tobacco confining chamber, tobacco feeding mechanism, means for forming a measured bunch charge from said tobacco in said chamber, means for indicating the extent of variation in the amount of surplus tobacco remaining in said chamber after the formation of said charge, means for activating said mechanism for feeding tobacco to said chamber for addition to said surplus after the formation of a charge, weighing mechanism receiving tobacco as it is fed for delivery to said chamber, and means under control of said indicating means for varying the capacity of said weighing mechanism in response to the indicated amount of surplus tobacco remaining in said chamber after the formation of a charge, whereby to maintain the quantity of tobacco in said chamber just prior to charge separation substantially constant at all times.

18. In a cigar machine bunch charge forming mechanism; a device for receiving portions of tobacco; feeding mechanism for conveying tobacco; weighing means between the feeding mechanism and said device for weighing tobacco fed by said feeding mechanism; means for compacting said tobacco in said device; means for forming bunch charges; means, associated with said compacting means, for indicating the extent of variation in the quantity of surplus tobacco which will remain in said device after the formation of a charge; yand regulating means operatively connected to said indicating means for controlling the operation of said feeding mechanism to increase or decrease the amount of tobacco delivered by said feeding mechanism cyclically to said device to maintain the amount of tobacco substantially constant in said device prior to the formation of each charge.

19. In a kcigar machine, a chamber for receiving portions of tobacco consisting of at least a single bunch charge and a surplus, tobacco feeding mechanism for feeding tobacco from a source of supply, a -compacting mechanism in said chamber including a plunger, means for moving said plunger in said chamber for compacting said tobacco and forming bunch charges, means comprising a part of said compacting mechanism for indicating the quantity of tobacco present in said chamber to indicate the extent of variation in the surplus of tobacco which will remain in said chamber after the formation of a charge, weighing mechanism for receiving tobacco as it is fed by said feeding mechanism, and connections between said feeding mechanism and said weighing mechanism and between said measuring means and said weighing mechanism for incapacitating said feeding mechanism when an amount of tobacco necessary to maintain the quantity of tobacco present in said chamber and available for each charge to be formed substantially constant has been fed and weighed.

20. In a cigar bunch charge forming machine for a cigar machine, a charge compression chamber, including a weighing device constituting a part of said chamber, mechanism for feeding tobacco to said chamber, and means for incapacitating said mechanism when a predetermined quantity of tobacco weighed by said device has been delivered to said chamber.

SIGURD CLAUSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

